Welcome to the Byron Forest Preserve's newest property! On this 160 acres are stunning views, huge elevation changes, and the biggest tree in the state of Illinois! From parking, head uphill. This is "Bald Hill" as it was named on the 1872 Rockvale Township map. The property was used for pasture by several different owners. Never falling to the plow, remnants of the original prairie remain, including state endangered woolly milkweed. This preserve is also home to a pair of northern harriers and at least one pair of short-eared owls.
The top of this rise measures 900' above sea level; Bald Hill is the second highest point in Ogle County.
Bald Hill geocaches are part one of our new Geotrail series! Once a month, the forest preserve will highlight one of our properties by placing new geocaches. Collect codes from log books for a geocoin prize. Find 15 caches and get a Byron Forest Preserve geocoin. Find 25 caches and receive both the regular and limited edition versions! Caches for the month of May are on our new Bald Hill Prairie Preserve.
Current Geotrail caches:
Bald Hill Biggest Tree in Illinois
Bald Hill Rock Bottom
Bald Hill East View
Bald Hill South View
Bald Hill West View
Bald Hill North View
Coming in April and May 2019: Howard Colman Hall Creek Preserve and Nardi Equine Prairie. At least 15 total geocaches will be available between those at Bald Hill and these preserves.
Coming when the weather cooperates: Barrick Oaks Homestead Preserve, He-Leo Two Rivers Wetland Preserve, and Jarrett Prairie Preserve. At least 25 geocaches will be available to find for the geocoin prize by September, and our Geotrail series will culminate in an event in the fall (the event will also count as a find). UPDATE: Hot weather and storms interrupted this last year. I am on track to make up for it! Sorry for the delay.
Redeem codes at the Jarrett Prairie Center, 7993 N River Road, Byron. 815-234-8535. Hours of operation: M, W, F 8 am-4:30 pm; T, Th 8 am-8 pm; Sat & Sun 9 am-4 pm. You may also send a message to the cache owner if you need other arrangements.